Monday, August 12, 2013

Leaking Water Heater Rescue

Leaking Water Heater Rescue

By Brian Winters


No matter how much a water heater is often ignored, it is one of the most important appliances in your household. It is responsible for producing hot water used for doing the laundry, cleaning dishes, taking showers and more. Over a period of time, a water heater will eventually leak due to wear and tear. When this happens, it is advisable to ask help from a specialist to find the cause of the problem.

Before carrying out repairs, the heating source of the water heater should always be turned off. Shut down the circuit breaker if you have an electric-powered unit or the gas supply valve if you have a gas water heater. Do not take this lightly since water heaters can be dangerous if not handled properly. To prevent water from entering the tank, do not forget to turn off the cold water supply valve.

Check if the gaskets have deteriorated. These can be found in the valves and pipes that are going in and out of the water heater. Replace rubber gaskets once they are badly damaged. Stop water from leaking by tightening the loose plumbing connections as soon as you see water puddles around the heater.

If you have a rusty or loose dip tube, expect water to leak easily. The dip tube is responsible for leading the cold water down to the burner where it can be heated properly. You may experience having insufficient hot water running in your taps if the dip tubes are loose. Ask help from a specialist, especially since leaks coming from the internal tank are harder to detect.

The internal tank can corrode if you let sediments sit at the bottom for a long time. When this happens, you are left with no choice but to replace your water heater. Patching water heater holes won't solve the problem since this will only lessen the efficiency your unit's efficiency, causing it to consume more energy than it used to.

There are times when a water heater leaks when the T&P valve is not working properly. This valve is designed to release excessive pressure once the buildup gets too heavy for the tank to handle. Test it by lifting and releasing the handle while observing the water flow. Water should stop draining as soon as the lever snaps back. If not, replace the relief valve right away to protect your tank from overheating.

To avoid having excessive pressure inside the tank, it helps adjusting the thermostat to a lower temperature between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important to avoid scalding burns as well as killing the bacteria in the water at the same time. Do not set it lower than 120 degrees to avoid having contaminated water hitting your hot water taps.

If you think the damage is beyond your ability to repair, contact a specialist for professional help. Attempting to fix the issue on your own can cause the problem to escalate, leading to a more expensive water heater repair. Water heater leaks can be prevented through regular care and maintenance.




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